Thread: Missing Tail

Got this razor in a lot purchase and need help with ID and dating. This one has me scratching my (already sparsely covered) head.

Marked Renoux A Toulon, it is a an 11/16 inch near wedge, french point, single shouldered blade, jimps top and bottom with what I believe are horn scales. The scales are "bug bit" and flat in contour. The curious part is the missing tail... was it made this way or ground off by an owner?

I have been unable to find anything on Renoux A Toulon in my searches and would appreciate any information.

I'll take a stab. Straighter scales and a stubby tail may mean early 1800's...but no tail, that's something I've never seen before.

It almost looks like the pivot hole has been drilled through where the tail should be.

Originally Posted by red96ta

I'll take a stab. Straighter scales and a stubby tail may mean early 1800's...but no tail, that's something I've never seen before.

Red96ta - Thats about where my assessment, thus far, is also.

I did a little cleaning on the scales this morning and found "Querin" scratched into the offside scale. Querin being a surname most common in France and Canada carries the French theme of this one even further.

Were there any French razor makers?

There seem to have been hundreds of French manufacturers. As to it being early because of the stub, I'm sure I remember reading here that for French blades it means the reverse of the English, ie stubs come later. I think the lack of a tail is part of the manufacter based on the fact that I've got a near identical blade (see below) the only difference being that the shoulder is less pronounced and the makers name.

AlanII - Thanks for the response and pics, the two razors are definitely related. Interesting about the tails, and I was not aware that there were that many French razor manufacturers. I have a lot to learn.